A Friendship Divided by a Century in The Boy from Tomorrow

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I received this book for free from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. If you've read my other reviews, you'll know that if it's bad, I'll say so, regardless of how I received the book.

The Boy from Tomorrow by Camille DeAngelis Published by Amberjack Publishing on May 8, 2018 Genres: Children Pages: 268 Format: eARC Source: Net Galley Buy on AmazonGoodreads

In The Boy From Tomorrow, twelve-year-olds, Alec and Josie, are roommates. They share a bedroom and are great friends. The only problem is they’ve never technically met. Alec lives in 2015 and Josie in 1915.

Alec moved to the old house at 444 Sparrow St with his mom after the divorce. While exploring the new house, he finds a spirit board and meets Josie. Josie’s abusive mother is a possible psychic in 1915, who keeps her daughters locked in the house. As Alec and Josie chat and prove that each other is real, they learn more about each of their lives and how Alec can help Josie and her sister escape their mother.

This is a cute story that was labeled as YA but is better for readers closer to Alec and Josie’s age. It reminds me of the innocence and warm and fuzziness of reading Babysitters’ Club books when I was that age. I’ve like a kid’s opinion on The Boy from Tomorrow though. While most of the books is “aww cute” with just enough adventure, the ending is a bit different. While keeping this spoiler-free, it’s possibly too adult. Not in an inappropriate way, but possibly uninteresting.

What I Loved About The Boy from Tomorrow

Remember, I am looking at this from an adult’s perspective.

I love that Alec and Josie are just friends. Alec has the same platonic friendship with Josie as he has with his 2015 best friend, Danny. There are jokes about girlfriends, but romance doesn’t play into it.

Which leads to the next point, the 12-year olds are 12-year olds. There’s a slumber party scene where some of Alec’s new friends smuggle their grandfather’s whiskey along, but the others decline it, and we don’t see those friends again.

The final thing I loved is that nothing is sugar-coated. Josie’s little sister is starved and locked in the closet. Alec is dealing with her parents’ divorce and his father’s new girlfriend. These things are real. It’s not graphic enough to traumatize children, but the topics aren’t hidden either.

The Boy From Tomorrow is a cute, enjoyable read. Let me know if you have a child the right age who has read it. I want to know their thoughts on the ending.

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